A simple and easy DIY foot strap for the plastic bottom cap of Fanotec poles

If this is your first visit, you may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

A simple and easy DIY foot strap for the plastic bottom cap of Fanotec poles

When I don't need the footplate with pole rotator f.i. when shooting panos with a motor drive on top of the pole then it can be difficult to raise the pole because the bottom end of the pole can easy slip sideways due to the large weight (approx. 3 kg) on top of the pole.

The solution is simple and easy, just cut aprrox. 14 cm of a wide nylon strap (f.i. from an old sportbag), seal the ends with a match or other small flame, heat the tip of an old screw driver with the flame and melt 1 or 2 (*) holes at the end(s) of the strap.

Remove the plastic bottom cap of the pole, put the strap on the screw and mount the bottom cap back on the pole.
Job is done, money costs is zero, time costs is less then 5 minutes and raising the pole is a lot more secure by just stepping on the strap.
When rotating the pole you don't have any issue with the strap so you can leave it mounted on the pole.

(*) the second hole is to attach a carrying hook for transporting the pole on my shoulder.

Wim

Last edited by Wim.Koornneef; 09-07-2011 at 04:12 AM.
Reason: Embedded photo in article

good idea but a solution already exists with Fanotec products :) screw the footplate on a pole adapter for R1 (http://store.nodalninja.com/products...e-Adapter.html) and then you can screw the pole adapter on bottom of pole with the 3/8 male thread screw included with pole :) Does my explanation make sense ?

....good idea but a solution already exists with Fanotec products :) screw the footplate on a pole adapter for R1 (http://store.nodalninja.com/products...e-Adapter.html) and then you can screw the pole adapter on bottom of pole with the 3/8 male thread screw included with pole :) Does my explanation make sense ?....

My answer: Yes and no

Yes, if you have a spare footplate,
No, if the footplate (with mounted rotator) is in use on another pole and there is no need to switch the footplate from one pole to the other.

When using my Seitz VR drive I don't need the pole rotator and I dislike to remove it from the footplate for occasional use.
Imo the nylon strap is the second best solution after the footplate and better then using no safety aid at all with heavy gear on top of the pole, agree ?

When I don't need the footplate with pole rotator f.i. when shooting panos with a motor drive on top of the pole then it can be difficult to raise the pole because the bottom end of the pole can easy slip sideways due to the large weight (approx. 3 kg) on top of the pole.

The solution is simple and easy, just cut aprrox. 14 cm of a wide nylon strap (f.i. from an old sportbag), seal the ends with a match or other small flame, heat the tip of an old screw driver with the flame and melt 1 or 2 (*) holes at the end(s) of the strap.

Remove the plastic bottom cap of the pole, put the strap on the screw and mount the bottom cap back on the pole.
Job is done, money costs is zero, time costs is less then 5 minutes and raising the pole is a lot more secure by just stepping on the strap.
When rotating the pole you don't have any issue with the strap so you can leave it mounted on the pole.

(*) the second hole is to attach a carrying hook for transporting the pole on my shoulder.

Wim

Hi Wim,

Thx a lot for the tip. Indeed your strap is a perfect solution for using a motorize drive on pole. It is better than our footplate in terms of ease of transport and cost effectiveness.
The footplate is designed to provide anti-twist function for use with a rotator at the base. Without this requirement, any trap/ rope/ wire/ or metal strip can be use as a stabilize for one to step on.